Reviews of The Emakoko
Wildlife sightings and reviews
120 independent comments and wildlife information from our travellers who have visited The Emakoko and kindly agreed to share their thoughts. They do not necessarily represent the views of Expert Africa
75% success
3% success
13% success
5% success
87% success
87% success
79% success
78% success
74% success
63% success
56% success
51% success
6% success
3% success
0% success
"The Emakoko review"
The food was a little bizarre - there were a couple of dishes none of us could eat. Maybe focusing so hard on gourmet that it took away from just good food. The gentleman who took us around Nairobi shopping was wonderful. The gentleman who took us to the airport, just dropped us, didn't even offer to help with our bags or offer any advice on where to go or seem to care at all - just awful. Jane wasn't even dropped at the right terminal.
The rest of the complete, horrible chaos at the airport - 4 hours of lines for luggage drop off and passport control and only making the flight because they held it - were the fault of the airport, not the gentleman from the Emakoko. Regarding the wildlife sightings below, we declined a game drive on our arrival and just wanted to see whatever wildlife we saw on the way out shopping. Nairobi National Park was pretty dismal and depressing after the beautiful Masai Mara, mostly due to the lack of rain, I'm sure." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
"East Africa Manager"
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Giraffe
1 sighting
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
Striped Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Emakoko review"
It is a really good place to see white and black rhino." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Black Rhino
6 sightings
Buffalo
3 sightings
Eland
3 sightings
Giraffe
6 sightings
Lion
3 sightings
Spotted Hyena
1 sighting
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
10 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"The Emakoko review"
Rooms feature large balconies overlooking Nairobi National Park, which are shared amongst the many resident Hyrax and Sykes Monkey! Dinner was equally superb; the only complaint here was having to depart for Jomo Kenyatta and the long voyage home!
Note that we did not opt to partake in a game drive.. as a result of the current drought, the conditions in the park were arid; we spotted a few impala on the way to the Emakoko but other than that, the wildlife was less abundant than our previous experience and we chose to take advantage of some needed downtime at the resort." See all these reviews: 14n in Kenya
"The Emakoko review"
Our Guide, Elizaban took us on game drives where we saw masses of Ostrich and our only rhino. Visiting also the Elephant Orphanage and the Giraffe Center….both place’s unmissable for children. But more than that, we were treated to the feeding of a newly born Giraffe which our Host had collected after it had been found abandoned and mutilated by some human. We were impressed by the gentle humanity this very young Giraffe was being shown.
There is nothing superficial to the commitment that our Host has for all his undertakings, it was impressive. As were his staff. Elizaban even attempting to teach Balthasar and Octavia to drive the Suzuki….to their utter joy and delight! Out of the three camps we stayed in, their Chef was definitely the winner." See all these reviews: 9n in Kenya
Black Rhino
1 sighting
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Cheetah
1 sighting
Eland
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
1 sighting
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Emakoko review"
We were collected from the airport - it was already 9.45pm but we drove through the National Park seeing quite a few animals.
Our first night drive of the trip!
The guide picking us up remained with for our stay.
Despite arriving late Anton met us and offered us a light meal in the dining room - it was perfect.
On our way to the Sheldrick visit the next day we had a lovely game drive through the park.
It was especially good to see the Rhino.
The lodge is in a superb location by the river, ideal for peaceful relaxation before setting off on safari. The staff were lovely and the food excellent
Altogether a perfect way to start our trip." See all these reviews: 8n in Kenya
Buffalo
3 sightings
Eland
1 sighting
Giraffe
2 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
White Rhino
2 sightings
Wildebeest
2 sightings
Zebra
2 sightings
"Our room was gorgeous in all ways"
Food and drink was perfect. We had lunch at the guest house that you reach with a funicular. We were the only ones in the hotel and the manager invited is to use the whole place. Also had a massage-again excellent.
Did a brief game drive - no elephants, but saw rhinos, ostriches and Crocodiles - we hadn’t seen them elsewhere. Limited number of animals.
Would recommend if you have a time In Nairobi before a flight." See all these reviews: 16n in Kenya
"It's good to be back!"
Minutes after the usual chaotic immigration at JKIA, we were installed in a Land Cruiser with a cool box of welcome Kenyan beers, and twenty minutes of Nairobi traffic later we were entering the National Park in pitch darkness, and laying bets with our guide as to which would be our first wildlife spot (he won - bat - but my nightjar was a close second).
The lodge's location is as extraordinary as ever - an oasis of bush experience within touching distance of the big city. Waking up the next morning to a game drive, we knew we were back in Africa! We were pleased also to say hello to some of the staff we remembered from our last visit.
Of course it's not the same as being out in the more remote parks & reserves, but it does a very good impression of it. It's the perfect place to decompress and recharge your energy after the flight, before moving onto somewhere more adventurous. The Emakoko has very much a safari lodge ethos, with beautifully designed rooms overlooking a wooded valley - although I doubt you would find the quite remarkable outdoor funicular lift in any other safari lodge." See all these reviews: 11n in Kenya
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
"The Emakoko "
The staff are well trained and eager to please and the surroundings are lovely. Some reviewers have mentioned the road. The Emakoko is built on the side of a ravine, so yes, the road is steep and bumpy but their drivers and their 4WDs are more than capable of getting you there and back in safety. Just enjoy.
I saw fantastic wildlife in the short time (two nights) I was there. Two lion brothers staking out the plain at dawn, another male lion with two females, adolescent cheetah triplets, a male black rhino, mother and calf, all together in one group; several white rhino including calves; also bushbuck, giraffe, zebra, hippo, black backed jackal and several species of antelope.
The restaurant and bar are run by charming Linus. I didn't have cocktails but the wines were good. The food seemed sometimes to be too ambitious. I had a steak which looked delicious but turned out to be chewy. On the other hand, the snapper with "custard" was so good I thanked the chef. Be prepared for company during dinner. The rooms are open to the surrounding woodland so you may be visited by the resident genets and a bushbaby (who loves to be fed with sliced banana). There are often hyrax on the bridge across the river.
The public rooms are very comfortable and stylish with big sofas and tables with piles of animal reference books. The bedrooms are well equipped and welcoming. Mine had a jug of roses on the table and petals on the bed and bath. Small touches which I really appreciated. Having a hot bubble bath both nights was a joy! Again, some reviewers have criticised the rooms, saying they look 'tired'. I'd agree to a point, but it's not as though you'd open he door and go, 'Oh my God, this is tired, get me out of here.' It's minor, certainly not enough to put anyone off or marr your stay. I just assumed that a very tough two years had tightened the refurb budget. I've since heard that an upgrade is on its way." See all these reviews: 7n in Kenya; 2n in Zanzibar
"East Africa Manager"
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
3 sightings
Cheetah
2 sightings
Eland
10 sightings
Giraffe
10 sightings
Lion
4 sightings
White Rhino
6 sightings
Wildebeest
3 sightings
Zebra
10 sightings
"The Emakoko review"
Our flight back to the UK was late at night so we stayed for our last night and booked the room for the day of departure as well, meaning we could stay until it was time to go to the airport for our bag-drop. It is a very comfortable camp and the food is excellent.
Nairobi National Park is great for seeing rhino. We saw several white and black rhino and and had a particularly close view of a white rhino which was right next to us on the road. The best encounter with a rhino that we have ever had!" See all these reviews: 15n in Kenya
Black Rhino
4 sightings
Buffalo
5 sightings
Eland
4 sightings
Giraffe
4 sightings
Lion
1 sighting
White Rhino
5 sightings
Wildebeest
4 sightings
Zebra
4 sightings
"The Emakoko review"
We appreciated their flexibility; we are able to invite a friend staying elsewhere in Nairobi to lunch and we had no need vacate our room prematurely (as does happen with some day room stays) even when our departing flight was delayed." See all these reviews: 13n in Kenya
Black Rhino
Multiple sightings
Buffalo
Multiple sightings
Eland
Multiple sightings
Giraffe
Multiple sightings
Lion
Multiple sightings
Wildebeest
Multiple sightings
Zebra
Multiple sightings
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